JONNE - Jonne
July 3, 2015, 8 years ago
(Massacre)
The debut solo outing from Jonne Järvelä, singer of Finland's Korpiklaani, but unlike the lively, party anthems of his day job, this is more pedestrian and minimalist, opting for acoustic instruments and hand drumming. Surrounded by a host of countrymen (some known, others not), there are also female voices, flute/recorder and violin throughout. It is however (apart from the closing, sea chantey version of Simon and Garfunkel's "The Boxer") sung in his native tongue. The meandering "Ammaenkuolema" utilizes piano and accordion.
The theme is reportedly shamanistic, including the use of "joiking" (in Europe, J pronounced like the Anglo Y, thus the word can also be spelled "yoiking") Finnish native people's (Sami) hypnotic sing-song chant, similar to Native (North) American tribes. The technique is most prominent on "Metsaeaen On Iaeksi Mieli". The opening "Viuluni Laulua Soutaa" is the lone inclusion that could be seen on a Korpiklaani platter (in electrified version), recalling their onstage intro. ']"Kuku Kaeki']" opts for more melancholy tones, augmented by the mournful violin. Definitely an acquired taste, for non-metal moments.